DESCRIPTION:
L=13-21" (33-53cm); slender (pencil-thick at best). Overall aposematically-colored
with bands of red, yellow (or white), and black that completely encircle
the snake's body. The snout is black. The coral snake has many Batesian
mimics (non-venomous snakes mimicking the coral snake), but only the coral
snake has all the following characteristics: a blunt, black snout (to
behind the eyes), bands that completely encircle the body, and yellow
bands touching red bands. Have round pupils.
NATURAL HISTORY: Venomous, but you are unlikely
to be bitten unless handling the snake. Drop for drop the venom is 2-3
times more potent than the Western Diamondback
Rattlesnake, but because they have smaller fangs and inject less venom,
there have been no recorded deaths from this species (unlike its eastern
counterpart). See also section on Venomous Animals.
When threatened, coral snakes will go into a coil, with their head usually
buried under their body and their tail waving up like a fake head. At
the same time they evert their anal lining to create a popping sound.
This popping may serve to further the perception of the tail as the head,
may serve as an additional warning display, may be used to startle a potential
predator, or may be used for other reasons.

Arizona
Coral Snakes are carnivorous, feeding mainly on blind snakes (Leptotyphlops),
which are about the size of worms, but they also occasionally feed on
other small snakes and lizards. They are usually diurnal in the spring,
nocturnal in the summer (when they are most commonly seen), and both in
the fall (rarely come above ground during winter). Lays eggs.